Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' should US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.

Escalating Rhetoric and Claims

Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.

A Deteriorating Partnership

This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.